Mary Tancheff of Pahoa, Hawaii, died Aug. 4, 2009 at Queens Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. She died of a sudden and severe infection after a valiant fight.
Known as “Mary Jane” while growing up in the Adams-Taopi area, she attended school at Sacred Heart, Adams then Adams High School. She went on to study at several colleges including the University of Minnesota. Mary married John Tancheff in December 1967. They raised five children in while living in Hope, Owatonna, Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They moved to the “Big Island” when John retired, and have lived in Pahoa for the last seven years.
Mary loved to travel and has been to more than four continents. She enjoyed vacation with her children and especially loved the arts of all types. Mary grew flowers and vegetables at her family’s home. Recent interests included drawing, painting, learning to play the recorder and improving her head stands.
A woman of strong faith, Mary began each day reading the Bible and prayers. She made daily entries into her faith journal and prayed for her family, friends and neighbors of all faiths. Her greatest love on Earth was her family. Her best traits are probably her perseverance and optimism.
She is greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, John Tancheff, Pahoa; and their five children: Shaun (Sarla) Tancheff, Wendy Tancheff and Tanya Tancheff of Breckenridge, Colo., Nick Tancheff, Pahoa, Christopher Tancheff, Denver; one granddaughter, Indira Emma Tancheff, Breckenridge; siblings: Judy (Bob) Osmundson, Adams, Carol (Drew) Anderson, St. Paul, Arleen (Stan) Moren, Lakeville, Minn., Bob May, Stewartville, Minn. and Arlette (Ricardo) Kvam, Spring Valley, Minn.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Joline May; grandparents: Alois May, William and Mary Gerber, John and Emma Schaefer.
A Mass of Remembrance was held in Pahoa on Aug. 18 at Sacred Heart Church. The family may have a service on the mainland at a later date.